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Strategy Simplified is here to demystify the consulting industry and help you land your dream job in management consulting. Hosted by the expert team at Management Consulted - the world's largest resource for consulting news and interview prep - each episode covers topics related to the consulting world, from interview preparation and case study techniques to networking strategies and industry trends. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to make a transition, Strategy Simplified is the go-to resource for anyone looking to break into the consulting industry. With actionable advice, insider tips, and real-life success stories, this podcast is the ultimate guide to simplifying your career strategy and landing your dream consulting job.
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Send us a text Best Buy was supposed to be dead. Instead, it just raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook. In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into why Best Buy is outperforming in a “K-shaped” economy, even as everyone keeps blaming the consumer and inflation. They break down: How Best Buy is still winning on laptops, gaming, and smartphonesWhy AI-enabled laptops and new consoles are quietly driving an upgrade cycleThe role of predictable sale moments (Prime Day, back-to-school...
Send us a text Sophomore year feels early to think about consulting — but it’s actually the perfect time to get ahead. In this episode, MC coach Kabreya Ghaderi breaks down a simple roadmap using the 3A framework: Access, Ability, and Acceleration. You’ll learn how to: Choose the right firms and officesBuild a focused networking planAvoid the “spray and pray” approach most candidates fall intoKabreya also shares how to strengthen your resume, find meaningful sophomore-year experiences, and st...
Send us a text Want to land a consulting role in Europe? This episode breaks down the 2025 recruiting landscape across a region where language, prestige, and pay vary widely. We cover: How language requirements differ across marketsWhy school pedigree still matters in EuropeCompensation ranges across major cities and firmsKey timelines, assessments, and cultural expectationsFor the full playbook, download Management Consulted’s 2025 Europe Consulting Recruitment Roadmap – free. It incl...
Send us a text Bath and Body Works used to own the mall fragrance space. Now traffic is shrinking, margins are squeezed and a new CEO is blaming the old playbook. In this episode, we break down what went wrong and whether the turnaround plan has a real shot. We cover: How chasing “adjacent” categories like shampoo and laundry backfiredWhy discounting destroys price integrity in a brand-led businessThe missed opportunity in e-commerce and Amazon resellersWhat Bath and Body Works can learn from...
Send us a text What’s really happening behind the scenes in education consulting right now? In this panel, Ish (ex-BCG) sits down with Mark Finlan (Huron), Laura Brookhiser (L.E.K.), and Miriam El-Baz (Grant Thornton Stax) for a fast, unfiltered look at how top firms are navigating a rapidly shifting education landscape. You’ll hear how these firms are responding to enrollment pressure, the return of standardized testing, AI’s influence on academic integrity, and the growing role of pri...
Send us a text Panera used to dominate fast casual. Now traffic is falling and leadership is scrambling to turn it around. In this episode, we unpack: How cost cutting changed salads, sides, and the in-store experienceWhy menu complexity and pricing confuse customersThe barbell strategy Panera is betting on for its comebackWhat we’d do differently on pricing, testing, and customer researchA practical breakdown of what happens when spreadsheets win over the customer experience. Partner Links: ...
Send us a text The U.S. stops minting new pennies. Cost savings help, but do second-order effects matter more? We dig into: Why it cost ~4¢ to make 1¢$56M savings vs real economic impactRounding rules, cash users, and pricing behaviorCard mix, tipping culture, and “two-way door” policyA quick, practical look at what this means for consumers and businesses. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 20...
Send us a text What does it take for an international, non-target student to land a full-time offer at MBB? Giovanni Coeli joins us to share the exact playbook he used to overcome visa hurdles, stand out as a non-target candidate, and earn his offer at BCG Miami. In this episode, Giovanni breaks down: His intentional networking systemHow he identified the right offices (and why Miami won)The diplomatic approach he used to build internal supportHis case prep strategy and go-to drillsThe bigges...
Send us a text Getting into consulting as an MBA1 isn’t luck – it’s strategy. In this episode, Katie Neff – Management Consulted’s Black Belt Advisor – walks through the exact roadmap to land an MBB consulting internship. With McKinsey, Bain, and BCG internship applications due November 13, now is the moment to take action. From crafting a standout consulting resume to building a smart networking plan and mastering case prep, Katie breaks down what separates successful candidates from t...
Send us a text CoreWeave isn’t OpenAI or Nvidia, but it’s powering both. We unpack how this lesser-known company became essential to the AI ecosystem, including: What CoreWeave actually does and why it mattersHow $55B in backlog signals explosive demandWhy data centers, not apps, may define the next AI waveWhat an “AI capex bubble” could look likeA fast, insightful breakdown of the infrastructure race behind AI’s biggest players. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Expo...
Send us a text Retailers plan the lightest holiday hiring since the Great Recession, but spending is still projected to top $1T. We dig into: Why demand smoothing and e-comm shift cut seasonal rolesHow “slower” in-store flow can increase basket sizeWhat segmentation and channels mean for labor needsWhy tariff headlines often overstate price impactActionable takeaways for leaders on staffing, ops, and margin protection. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management P...
Send us a text The consulting market just flipped. Bonuses are tightening, hiring is shifting toward AI-savvy talent, and clients now demand proof of impact. In this episode, Andrew breaks down the key findings from Management Consulted’s October 2025 Consulting Industry Report — including bonus changes, firm acquisitions, private equity trends, and where firms are hiring now. Download the full report here. Are you currently working in management consulting? Take this quarter's Sentime...
Send us a text The FAA just announced flight cuts at 40 U.S. airports, all tied to the government shutdown. In this bonus episode: Why air traffic control staffing is reaching a breaking pointHow airlines like Delta and United will decide what to cancelWhat smart leaders do when government policy hits business operationsA quick 15-minute breakdown on policy, pressure, and decision-making when the skies (and D.C.) shut down. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Managem...
Send us a text Pinterest just had one of its worst trading days ever, and blamed tariffs. We dig into what’s really behind the drop: Why ad revenue might be a Pinterest problem, not a tariff problemHow user behavior has shifted away from “mood board” cultureWhat it would take for Pinterest to stay relevant in an AI-driven shopping worldPlus, Namaan and Jenny Rae debate whether Pinterest’s next move is reinvention or acquisition. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Expos...
Send us a text What separates candidates who crush their case interviews from those who fall short? Former Bain consultant Jenny Rae Le Roux reveals the #1 habit that top performers share – and it’s not about frameworks or math. If you’re preparing for McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or any consulting interview, this is the mindset shift that changes everything. Additional Resources: Work 1:1 with an MBB coach through our Black Belt program for personalized prep that gets you from practice to offe...
Send us a text In this Bain case interview, ex-Bain consultant and coach Juliane Hoss walks through a profitability case on franchising small gyms. Listen as she guides a candidate through structuring, quant, and communication – and hear expert coaching along the way on how to think (and sound) like a Bain consultant. Learn how to: Clarify objectives and criteria of success earlyPrioritize profit levers with confidenceCommunicate like a top-tier consultantWhether you’re gearing up for f...
Send us a text Namaan and Jenny Rae break down PayPal’s new integration with ChatGPT and what it means for e commerce. They cover how checkout could live inside AI, who wins and loses across retailers and suppliers, and why PayPal’s first dividend signals a new chapter. They also map OpenAI’s business model today. Subscriptions. Enterprise licensing. Future transaction fees. Possible ads. What shifts when 800 million people use ChatGPT weekly. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Thr...
Send us a text Jenny Rae was told she had the *worst case interview ever.* Her McKinsey mock interview was a total disaster. The feedback from her friend at McKinsey? Cancel the real interview or prepare harder than ever. In this episode, Jenny Rae shares how she went from bombing that mock to becoming Bain’s #1 recruit on the East Coast. You’ll hear the exact prep strategy she used, the case interview mistakes that almost cost her everything, and how she turned it all around. Additiona...
Send us a text UPS posted a surprise beat and a bold turnaround. Jenny Rae and Namaan break down where the 34,000+ cuts land, why Amazon volume fell 21 percent, and how route consolidation, asset light moves, and small business focus could reshape holiday shipping. We also cover tariffs and the de minimis change, plus why supply chain consulting is set to boom. Chapters 02:58 Understanding UPS's Business Model and Challenges05:57 UPS's Turnaround Strategy and Job Cuts09:01 Financial Per...
Send us a text Interviews coming up? This episode is your shortcut to consulting interview success. 3 Management Consulted case coaches – Ish Mawla (BCG), Mark Di Giorgio (McKinsey), and Tobe Ofili (Bain) – join forces to share their best insider advice on how to fix common case interview mistakes and avoid sabotaging your prep. They reveal how to: Build structures that flex beyond memorized frameworksImprove fast, accurate mental mathBalance behavioral and case prep effectivelyHandle nerve...
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